Reviews

Tangled Up In You by Christina Lauren

anniekslibrary's review

4.0

I'm probably biased because Tangled is one of my favourite Disney movies, but I had so much fun with this! I thought it was an excellent retelling, and it really captured the vibe of the movie. Ren was a cute, quirky and naive main character without that ever feeling like too much. It follows the plot of Tangled fairly closely, so there is some suspense as well, but in a way that really worked in a romance novel. I would just have liked to see more of an epilogue, because I felt like the book ended very suddenly.

pawsomereads2's review

adventurous emotional funny fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

a_neverending_tbr's review

adventurous funny hopeful mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

If you love Disney and especially Tangled, then I definitely think you would enjoy this book. I thought the authors did a great job writing a contemporary retelling in a fun and believable way. Ren is so naive (with due cause) and they perfectly captured the spirit of Tangled as she encounters the world for the first time. Fitz is a great Flynn Ryder and I liked what they did with his backstory. The pacing is slow to medium for most of the book but kicks up at the very end with a mystery and some action. I also liked where they landed with the physical aspect of Ren and Fitz’s relationship. For the authors’ fan base, this one is going to deviate from all of the other books I’ve read by them but it fit the story and I’m glad I can recommend this one to closed door readers. The references to Clueless and the Goonies were also fun additions for this elder millennial reader. 

I received an advanced copy of this book via NetGalley. The thoughts and opinions in this review are my own. 

Content Notes: Makeouts 

murphy_overbooked's review

lighthearted slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.5

hknust's review

4.0

Thanks to NetGalley for the arc! 
I thought this was such a cute book! This was the first I’ve read by Christina Lauren and I will definitely look into more. I normally tend to lean towards more dark romance, but this was a quick, cheery and fun romance read to break up my normal. The storyline of a shelter girl from a homestead meeting a troubled boy at college and a road trip was a good one! I read this in one sitting and really enjoyed it! 

shereadsmut's review against another edition

3.0

For me this was not a typical Christina Lauren booked. I would definitely consider this YA/NA which is not an issue for me at all, just something to keep in mind.

Ren is a girl from a secluded homestead who ventures off to college much to her parents chagrin. She has no knowledge of modern technologies etc. so college is a whirlwind for her - everyone wants to know about this girl. 

I think Christina Lauren hit the nail on the head with a Tangled retelling - if you liked Tangled you will definitely like this.  

This you will find in this book?
- cross country roadtrip adventure
- forced proximity
- a little bit of suspense
- a girl who can fix a car, feed animals and take every part of life in stride. 
- grumpy x sunshine

Thank you Hyperion Avenue and Christina Lauren for the ARC in return for an honest review.

bookishbethie's review

3.5

A contemporary reimagining of the story of Rapunzel and Flynn Rider from Disney's very charming Tangled with Christina Lauren at the helm? Yes, please!

Though the overarching story here is very familiar, Christina and Lauren clearly had a ton of fun interpreting the tale for a modern-day romance audience. Here, we're introduced to Ren, a brilliant, beautiful woman in her 20s who has been raised off the grid and is heading into the world on her own for the first time to attend university, and Fitz, a heartthrob with a whole lot riding on graduating at the top of his class. After Fitz decides he will very pointedly not be won over by Ren's wide-eyed innocence and enthusiasm for the world like the rest of the student body, he finds himself competing with her—and failing miserably—and then blackmailed into giving her a ride across the country after she learns some life-changing information about her family.

While the plot beats here line up pretty perfectly with the film, Christina Lauren infuse the story with contemporary romance touches (a road trip! only one bed! rivals to lovers! he falls first!) and continue raising the stakes throughout the book, creating a bit of mystery and providing swoons as they go.

Though Tangled Up In You isn't completely reinventing the wheel, it's a very fun take on Tangled that's a quick and satisfying read for romance lovers.

booksandcoffeewithlexi's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny hopeful reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Kidnapping

booksaremytherapy's review

4.0

Christina Lauren's Tangled Up in You reimagines the classic Rapunzel fairy tale in a modern setting, offering a mix of romance and adventure that fans will love. This novel captures the spirit of a fairy tale with a contemporary twist, presenting a heartfelt romance and engaging plot.

Ren Gylden, arrives at Corona College with the innocence of someone who has lived off the grid. Her intelligence and skills, like building a wind power system from scratch, make her an intriguing character. Fitz, her counterpart, is a charming and well-organized player whose life is upended when he meets Ren.

Christina Lauren balances a fast-paced plot with meaningful inner monologues, allowing the story to unfold smoothly while keeping readers engaged. The authors' fresh take on the Rapunzel tale adds a modern touch that is distinctly their own. Fans of the Tangled movie will appreciate the clever references and humor that connect to the beloved Disney film.

The romance in Tangled Up in You is sweet and gradual, appealing to those who enjoy innocent and heartfelt connections. The low spice level fits Ren’s sheltered background, and Fitz’s transformation from grumpy to warm-hearted is both realistic and charming.

Overall, Tangled Up in You is a compelling story of growth, love, and self-discovery. Christina Lauren's storytelling shines, creating a novel that is both romantic and adventurous.

glisteningstarfish's review against another edition

adventurous funny hopeful lighthearted reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

“Tangled Up In You” immediately pulled me into the story, which rarely happens with romance novels. Christina Lauren’s writing style is fun and engaging, as always. I was a little hesitant going into this one, but the execution of a Tangled-inspired contemporary rom-com was perfect!

For those who love:
💟 Tangled
💟 Grumpy/Sunshine
💟 Opposites Attract
💟 College Setting
💟 Road Trip
💟 Quest
💟 Only One Bed

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.